Culture Logic

8/8/2019 Culture Logic

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Is Culture Always LogicalIs Culture Always Logical

oror

Is Logic Always CulturalIs Logic Always Cultural??

by Leif Thomas Olsenby Leif Thomas Olsen


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clipping fromclipping fromthe Far Eastern Economic Review (14/09/2000)the Far Eastern Economic Review (14/09/2000)

INDIAN LOGIC: A high court in India ruled that a bank mustINDIAN LOGIC: A high court in India ruled that a bank mustconsider employing a young woman on the grounds that she hadconsider employing a young woman on the grounds that she had

already suffered bad luck. Sixteen years ago, when Ramyaalready suffered bad luck. Sixteen years ago, when RamyaMurthy was a baby, her mother Geetha was burned to death byMurthy was a baby, her mother Geetha was burned to death byher father, G.D. Narashima Murthy. At the time of her death, theher father, G.D. Narashima Murthy. At the time of her death, themother had been employed by Syndicate Bank of Bangalore, Themother had been employed by Syndicate Bank of Bangalore, The

Asian Age reported.Asian Age reported.

Ramya, who has just turned 18, applied to the courts to forceRamya, who has just turned 18, applied to the courts to forcethe bank to give her a job on compassionate grounds becausethe bank to give her a job on compassionate grounds because

such an awful thing had happened to her in the past. Justice H.L.such an awful thing had happened to her in the past. Justice H.L.Dattu ordered the bank to process the application. This is typicalDattu ordered the bank to process the application. This is typical

Indian antiIndian anti--logic. It makes no sense, but feels right.logic. It makes no sense, but feels right.


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Culture as aCulture as a PhenomenonPhenomenon??


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Robert Keel (2000)Robert Keel (2000)::

Culture is the totality of learned, socially transmittedCulture is the totality of learned, socially transmittedbehaviour. It is the product of both material and nonbehaviour. It is the product of both material and non--

material interaction, i.e., beliefs, values, ideas, norms,material interaction, i.e., beliefs, values, ideas, norms,

and so on.and so on.

It is shared, learned and intergenerationalIt is shared, learned and intergenerational


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Harry Triandis (1994):Harry Triandis (1994):

Cultures are like standard operatingprocedures...Cultures are like standard operatingprocedures...

ways of doingthings that have been internalised to suchways of doingthings that have been internalised to such

an extent that people do not argue about theman extent that people do not argue about them


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So, how can we bestSo, how can we best

appreciate our fellowappreciate our fellowhumans cultures?humans cultures?


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Harry Triandis again:Harry Triandis again:

Culturally derived differencesCulturally derived differences

are caused by differences in ourare caused by differences in our

unstated assumptionsunstated assumptions


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Harry Triandis again:Harry Triandis again:

Culturally derived differencesCulturally derived differences

are caused by differences in ourare caused by differences in our

unstated assumptionsunstated assumptions

But how can that piece of insight help us overcomeBut how can that piece of insight help us overcomethese differences?these differences?


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One Way Is Acculturation

One Way Is Acculturation


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Acculturation:Acculturation:The process of assimilatingnew ideas into an existingThe process of assimilatingnew ideas into an existing

cognitive structure cognitive structure

i.e. the adoption of the behaviorpatterns of a i.e. the adoption of the behaviorpatterns of asurroundingculture into ones existingculturesurroundingculture into ones existingculture


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Acculturation:Acculturation:The process of assimilatingnew ideas into an existingThe process of assimilatingnew ideas into an existing

cognitive structure cognitive structure

i.e. the adoption of the behaviorpatterns of a i.e. the adoption of the behaviorpatterns of asurroundingculture into ones existingculturesurroundingculture into ones existingculture

The typical claim is that the Coca Cola culture overrunsThe typical claim is that the Coca Cola culture overrunsindigenous cultures. But acculturation is not alwaysindigenous cultures. But acculturation is not alwaysa matterof nona matterof non--westerners adoptingwestern ideas.westerners adoptingwestern ideas.

Historically there are many examples of the opposite.Historically there are many examples of the opposite.


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Cultural Influences on theCultural Influences on the

WestWest

Sinology on the EnlightenmentSinology on the Enlightenment

Indiology on RomanticismIndiology on Romanticism

Orientalism on ColonialismOrientalism on Colonialism

The Rest on the WestThe Rest on the West

Tao, Zen, Hinduism on the HippiesTao, Zen, Hinduism on the Hippies

Buddhism on FeminismBuddhism on Feminism


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The French philosopher Quesnay translated the TaoistThe French philosopher Quesnay translated the Taoist

concept of wuconcept of wu--wei to French, and called it laissezwei to French, and called it laissez--

fair.fair.

WuWu--wei and laissezwei and laissez--fair both suggest that governmentsfair both suggest that governments

should not interfere with the natural order of things.should not interfere with the natural order of things.

Quesnays disciple, Adam Smith, was much influenced byQuesnays disciple, Adam Smith, was much influenced bythe laissezthe laissez--fair concept when developing his ideas aboutfair concept when developing his ideas about

the invisible handthe invisible hand -- in turn a cornerstone for his freein turn a cornerstone for his free

market theories.market theories.

Example:Example:

Sinology & the EnlightenmentSinology & the Enlightenment


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Another Way Is Simply ToAnother Way Is Simply To

Learn More About OtherLearn More About Other

CulturesCultures


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Another Way Is Simply ToAnother Way Is Simply To

Learn More About OtherLearn More About Other

CulturesCultures

Can Everyday Logic be a Cultural Identifier?Can Everyday Logic be a Cultural Identifier?


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Logical ReasoningLogical Reasoning

Deduction versusDeduction versusAnalytical InductionAnalytical Induction

oror

How all cultures develop theirown logicHow all cultures develop theirown logic


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Where deductive research narrows its claims to what canWhere deductive research narrows its claims to what can

be proven beyond doubt, analytical induction widens itsbe proven beyond doubt, analytical induction widens its

claims to include also divertingoutcomes of similarcasesclaims to include also divertingoutcomes of similarcases

Deductive approach Inductive approachDeductive approach Inductive approach

Deduction vs InductionDeduction vs Induction


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DeductionDeduction

A researcherusinga deductive method will start outA researcherusinga deductive method will start out

from a hypothesis, try tofrom a hypothesis, try to excludeexclude alluncertainty,alluncertainty,

and claim that what was repeatedly found equalsand claim that what was repeatedly found equals

the truththe truth


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Analytical InductionAnalytical Induction

A researcherusinganalytical induction will start outA researcherusinganalytical induction will start out

from one observation, compare this observation tofrom one observation, compare this observation to

otherother-- albeit similaralbeit similar-- cases, and seek to define whichcases, and seek to define which

outerperimeter canouterperimeter can includeinclude as many as possible ofas many as possible of

the cases studiedthe cases studied


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Coming back to good olComing back to good ol

the West and the Restthe West and the Rest


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A core issue of the EnlightenmentA core issue of the Enlightenment -- on whichon which

Positivism and Modernity restsPositivism and Modernity rests -- was the use ofwas the use of

reason, i.e. the ability to form opinions and drawreason, i.e. the ability to form opinions and draw

conclusions from facts.conclusions from facts.


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A core issue of the EnlightenmentA core issue of the Enlightenment -- on whichon which

Positivism and Modernity restsPositivism and Modernity rests -- was the use ofwas the use of

reason, i.e. the ability to form opinions and drawreason, i.e. the ability to form opinions and draw

conclusions from facts.conclusions from facts.

But can we always distinguish facts from opinions?But can we always distinguish facts from opinions?


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Reason, Induction &Reason, Induction &

PremisesPremises

Reason is merely an instrument which, correctlyReason is merely an instrument which, correctly

employed, helps people draw inferences (conclusions)employed, helps people draw inferences (conclusions)from given premises without inconsistency.from given premises without inconsistency.

(from The Meaning of Things by AC Grayling)(from The Meaning of Things by AC Grayling)


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PremisesPremises

Reason is merely an instrument which, correctlyReason is merely an instrument which, correctly

employed, helps people draw inferences (conclusions)employed, helps people draw inferences (conclusions)from given premises without inconsistency.from given premises without inconsistency.

(from The Meaning of Things by AC Grayling)(from The Meaning of Things by AC Grayling)

Granted the premises, the logic is inescapableGranted the premises, the logic is inescapable

(from Cultural Anthropology, Cultural Relativism and Cultural Values by Melville Herskovits)(from Cultural Anthropology, Cultural Relativism and Cultural Values by Melville Herskovits)


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LogicLogicWestern logic is based on positivism, to which conceptsWestern logic is based on positivism, to which concepts

like evidence, accountability and transparency are the keyslike evidence, accountability and transparency are the keys

This logic hence assumes a deductive approachThis logic hence assumes a deductive approach


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LogicLogicWestern logic is based on positivism, to which conceptsWestern logic is based on positivism, to which concepts

like evidence, accountability and transparency are the keyslike evidence, accountability and transparency are the keys

This logic hence assumes a deductive approachThis logic hence assumes a deductive approach

NonNon--western logic is based on wisdom, to which conceptswestern logic is based on wisdom, to which concepts

like tradition, experience and empiricism are the keyslike tradition, experience and empiricism are the keys

This logic hence assumes an inductive approachThis logic hence assumes an inductive approach


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Reason, Induction &Reason, Induction &ResearchResearch

Deductive research gave us penicillin & computernetworksDeductive research gave us penicillin & computernetworks

Analytical induction gave us acupuncture & social networksAnalytical induction gave us acupuncture & social networks


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Reason, Induction &Reason, Induction &ResearchResearch

Deductive research gave us penicillin & computernetworksDeductive research gave us penicillin & computernetworks

Analytical induction gave us acupuncture & social networksAnalytical induction gave us acupuncture & social networks

The world needs both computernetworks & social networksThe world needs both computernetworks & social networks

The world needs both deductive & inductive thinkingThe world needs both deductive & inductive thinking


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PoliticsPolitics

Western democracy is based on well articulatedWestern democracy is based on well articulated

arguments that actually intend to discriminatearguments that actually intend to discriminatewithin the framework of a multiwithin the framework of a multi--party systemparty system


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PoliticsPolitics

Western democracy is based on well articulatedWestern democracy is based on well articulated

arguments that actually intend to discriminatearguments that actually intend to discriminatewithin the framework of a multiwithin the framework of a multi--party systemparty system

NonNon--western democracy is based on populistrhetoricwestern democracy is based on populistrhetoricthat actually intends to include as many views asthat actually intends to include as many views as

possible, within the framework of a consensuspossible, within the framework of a consensus--drivendriven

systemsystem


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So, What Is the ConclusionSo, What Is the Conclusion

of All This ?of All This ?


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Everyday LogicEveryday Logic

Observation + Premise = ConclusionObservation + Premise = Conclusion


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Everyday LogicEveryday Logic

Observation + Premise = ConclusionObservation + Premise = Conclusion

But what aboutSocrates?But what aboutSocrates?Wasnt he the one who started this debate?Wasnt he the one who started this debate?


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SyllogismsSyllogisms

A reasoned argument where two statements inevitablyA reasoned argument where two statements inevitably

will lead to a thirdwill lead to a third

Example:Example:

-- All men will one day die (All men will one day die (premisepremise))

-- Socrates is a man (Socrates is a man (observationobservation))-- therefore one day Socrates will die (therefore one day Socrates will die (conclusionconclusion).).


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A Typical East / West DifferenceA Typical East / West Difference

I think my boss is wrong(I think my boss is wrong(observationobservation).).Should I tell him duringthe office meeting?Should I tell him duringthe office meeting?


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In the WestIn the West

He may have overlookedHe may have overlooked

this important piece ofthis important piece of

information (information (premise 1premise 1),),

and I think he appreciatesand I think he appreciates

initiatives from his staffinitiatives from his staff

((premise 2premise 2).).


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In the EastIn the East

He is afterall my senior,He is afterall my senior,

whom one shall not directlywhom one shall not directly

criticise (criticise (premise 1premise 1), and if), and if

I make him lose face, heI make him lose face, he

may also sufferpart of hismay also sufferpart of hisauthority (authority (premise 2premise 2).).









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In the EastIn the East

He is afterall my senior,He is afterall my senior,

whom one shall not directlywhom one shall not directly

criticise (criticise (premise 1premise 1), and if), and if

I make him lose face, heI make him lose face, he

may also sufferpart of hismay also sufferpart of hisauthority (authority (premise 2premise 2).).








Yes, I had better (Yes, I had better (conclusionconclusion) ) No, I had betternot No, I had betternot


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Logic vs Acculturation:Logic vs Acculturation:

If every observation must be compared to aIf every observation must be compared to a

premise before a logical conclusion can bepremise before a logical conclusion can be

made, is acculturation then not mainly a mattermade, is acculturation then not mainly a matter

of sharingpremises?of sharingpremises?


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Is Acculturation aIs Acculturation a

Deductive or InductiveDeductive or InductiveProcess?Process?


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In the Global CommunityIn the Global Community

If a free and democratic world is the objective, should notIf a free and democratic world is the objective, should notall peoples have the right to live by theirown chosen cultureall peoples have the right to live by theirown chosen culture

as longas it does not harm others ?as longas it does not harm others ?

Anybody interested in biAnybody interested in bi-- ormultilateral interaction must inormultilateral interaction must insuch case respect local culturessuch case respect local cultures -- no matterhow different.no matterhow different.


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In the Global CommunityIn the Global Community

If a free and democratic world is the objective, should notIf a free and democratic world is the objective, should notall peoples have the right to live by theirown chosen cultureall peoples have the right to live by theirown chosen culture

as longas it does not harm others ?as longas it does not harm others ?

Anybody interested in biAnybody interested in bi-- ormultilateral interaction must inormultilateral interaction must insuch case respect local culturessuch case respect local cultures -- no matterhow different.no matterhow different.

Acculturation is here primarily an inductive process,Acculturation is here primarily an inductive process,and its suggested alternativeand its suggested alternative to learn more about othersto learn more about othersratherthan teachingothers about oneselfratherthan teachingothers about oneself may indeedmay indeed

prove to be the best way forward.prove to be the best way forward.


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In Corporate Life Though In Corporate Life Though

HQs corporate culture always permeate overallHQs corporate culture always permeate overalldecision making, as well as rewarddecision making, as well as reward-- and promotionand promotionpolicy, even in culturally distant marketspolicy, even in culturally distant markets in thein the

name of control and profit maximation.name of control and profit maximation.


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In Corporate Life Though In Corporate Life Though

HQs corporate culture always permeate overallHQs corporate culture always permeate overalldecision making, as well as rewarddecision making, as well as reward-- and promotionand promotionpolicy, even in culturally distant marketspolicy, even in culturally distant markets in thein the

name of control and profit maximation.name of control and profit maximation.

Acculturation will here be a more deductive process,Acculturation will here be a more deductive process,where sharingthe HQ culture and its underlyingwhere sharingthe HQ culture and its underlying

assumptions with subsidiary employees is crucialassumptions with subsidiary employees is crucial -- forforthem to choose to what extent they wish to acculturate,them to choose to what extent they wish to acculturate,

and in turn excel in,and in turn excel in, thatthat particularculture.particularculture.


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But, Has the World a HQ ?But, Has the World a HQ ?

In the biIn the bi--polarworld both SuperPowers agreed the worldpolarworld both SuperPowers agreed the worldneeded a few joint workinggroups. But the UN was neverneeded a few joint workinggroups. But the UN was nevermeant to be a World Inc. HQmeant to be a World Inc. HQ -- although Bretton Woodsalthough Bretton Woods

certainly viewed itself as the Almighty in its domain.certainly viewed itself as the Almighty in its domain.

Has a HQ approach arrived with the monoHas a HQ approach arrived with the mono--polarworld ?polarworld ?


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But, Has the World a HQ ?But, Has the World a HQ ?

In the biIn the bi--polarworld both SuperPowers agreed the worldpolarworld both SuperPowers agreed the worldneeded a few joint workinggroups. But the UN was neverneeded a few joint workinggroups. But the UN was nevermeant to be a World Inc. HQmeant to be a World Inc. HQ -- although Bretton Woodsalthough Bretton Woods

certainly viewed itself as the Almighty in its domain.certainly viewed itself as the Almighty in its domain.

Has a HQ approach arrived with the monoHas a HQ approach arrived with the mono--polarworld ?polarworld ?

Acculturation in todays worldAcculturation in todays world does it presuppose we alldoes it presuppose we allhave to acculturate some HQs culture and its underlyinghave to acculturate some HQs culture and its underlyingassumptions? Recent lessons taught in democracy andassumptions? Recent lessons taught in democracy and

goodgovernance suggests this would be highly deductive.goodgovernance suggests this would be highly deductive.


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Now,Now,Assume the World Had a HQAssume the World Had a HQ

and the World thought the boss was wrong. and the World thought the boss was wrong.

Should the World tell him duringan office meetingShould the World tell him duringan office meeting

??

End Part 1


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The Premise ComponentThe Premise Component

If the Premise Component is so critical,If the Premise Component is so critical,

how can it be negotiated, so that opposingcultureshow can it be negotiated, so that opposingcultureseventually can agree on global issues ?eventually can agree on global issues ?


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The Premise ComponentThe Premise Component

If the Premise Component is so critical,If the Premise Component is so critical,

how can it be negotiated, so that opposingcultureshow can it be negotiated, so that opposingcultureseventually can agree on global issues ?eventually can agree on global issues ?

The Full Formula forCultural BehaviorintendsThe Full Formula forCultural Behaviorintends

to suggest how to put this component into context.to suggest how to put this component into context.


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The Full FormulaThe Full Formula

for Cultural Behaviourfor Cultural BehaviourFrom "TrafficFrom "Traffic -- A Book About Culture"A Book About Culture"Social Level:Social Level: + Cultural Values+ Cultural Values

++ EnvironmentEnvironment = Cultural Application= Cultural Application

Empirical Level:Empirical Level: + Cultural Application+ Cultural Application

+ Experience+ Experience = Cultural Premise= Cultural Premise

Logical Level:Logical Level: + Observations+ Observations

+ Cultural Premise+ Cultural Premise = Cultural Conclusion= Cultural Conclusion

Action Level:Action Level: + Cultural Conclusion+ Cultural Conclusion

+ Resources+ Resources

+ Resolve+ Resolve = Cultural Behaviour= Cultural Behaviour


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Lets focus on the Social LevelLets focus on the Social Level

Political, economic and ethnological differences apart,Political, economic and ethnological differences apart,

how can societies be broadly classified ?how can societies be broadly classified ?


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The ClassS

ociety:The ClassS

ociety:A societyA society whosewhose leaders useleaders use

'values' to govern'values' to govern

TraditionalTraditional

Slow In changeSlow In change

SegregatedSegregated

Society drivenSociety driven

Low need forcontrolLow need forcontrol


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The PowerS

ociety:The PowerS


'power' to govern'power' to govern

Short on historyShort on history

Intermittent pace of changeIntermittent pace of change

EliteElite--orientedoriented

PowerdrivenPowerdriven

High need forcontrolHigh need forcontrol


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TheD

ebateS

ociety:TheD

ebateS


'opinions' to govern'opinions' to govern

Without historyWithout history

Constant changeConstant change

Interestgroup basedInterestgroup based

Admin drivenAdmin driven

Difficult to controlDifficult to control


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TheB

ig Pond:TheB

ig Pond:An opportunistic societyAn opportunistic society

AnonymousAnonymous

StardomStardom--orientedoriented

Short turnovertimeShort turnovertime

MediaMedia--drivendriven

TolerantTolerant

OpenOpen but hard to conquerbut hard to conquer


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TheS

mall Pond:TheS

mall Pond:A diligent societyA diligent society

SenioritySeniority--basedbased

MentorshipMentorship--orientedoriented

LongturnovertimeLongturnovertime

NetworkNetwork--drivendriven

IntolerantIntolerant

ClosedClosed -- but possible to conquerbut possible to conquer


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Empirical and Action Levels Empirical and Action Levels

AddingExperiences to the Social Level will lead to theAddingExperiences to the Social Level will lead to the

Empirical Level, and from the Logical Level we willEmpirical Level, and from the Logical Level we will

arrive at the Action Level once Resources and Resolvearrive at the Action Level once Resources and Resolve

are added.are added.

/ Leif Thomas Olsen/ Leif Thomas Olsen

Culture Logic

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